NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. retail gasoline demand remained in a slump as high prices at the pump trimmed demand for the fuel, MasterCard Advisors said Tuesday.

U.S. retail gasoline demand remained in a slump as high prices at the pump trimmed demand for the fuel, MasterCard Advisors said Tuesday.

By anyone's reckoning, it was a rough week.  Crude oil continued its relentless climb; banks and brokerages gave hints of more discouraging news; government data pointed to a weak economy; even strong companies like Nike, Oracle, and Research In Motion issued cautious guidance; and Federal Reserve policymakers, widely perceived as powerless to help, left interest rates unchanged.  But all week, even through the worst of the market's sell-offs, CNBC guests offered

MasterCard Inc. spent $720,000 in the first quarter lobbying on credit card rules, proposals to fight identity theft and other issues, according to a recent disclosure report.

Visa Inc. on Thursday said it will reduce the transaction fees it charges gasoline retailers, who have complained that their profits are being eroded by them.

American Express Co. shares hit a five-year low on Thursday, one day after the credit card lender said business conditions have deteriorated beyond its expectations.

Continued concern about deterioration in the credit markets has shares of financial-services firms tumbling Thursday, with most slipping more than broader market indexes.

American Express Co. has ended another round of litigation with a rival card company, but still faces serious headwinds from its customers.

Credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's on Wednesday affirmed long-term rating on MasterCard after the credit card payments processor said it would settle a lawsuit with American Express Co.

Shares of MasterCard Inc. climbed Wednesday morning after the credit-card processor said it will pay American Express as much as $1.8 billion to settle an antitrust lawsuit.

MasterCard, the world's second-largest credit-card network, said it will pay American Express up to $1.8 billion to settle a lawsuit that said MasterCard and Visa blocked banks from issuing cards from their rival.

By Dan Wilchins

MasterCard Inc, the world's second-largest credit-card network, said on Wednesday it will pay American Express Co <AXP.N> up to $1.8 billion to settle a lawsuit that said MasterCard and Visa blocked banks from issuing cards from their rival.

American Express said Wednesday MasterCard will pay it as much as $1.8 billion to settle an antitrust lawsuit, as it warned credit losses may increase as business conditions deteriorate.

Stocks finished mixed amid volatile oil prices and a weak manufacturing report from the Fed.